Planted as a hedge, evergreen cherry laurel reliably protects from prying eyes or creates a decorative eye-catcher as a solitary plant. However, anyone who reduces the elegant shrub solely to its function as a privacy hedge is doing it an injustice. Thanks to its multifaceted varieties, it also serves excellently as an attractive potted plant, decorative border or structure builder in the front garden. As a lush ground cover, the laurel cherry transforms even large areas into a tasteful, shiny green carpet of leaves. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of cherry laurel varieties here.
Overview
- Large-leaved cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis Macrophylla')
- Cherry laurel 'Rotundifolia' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia')
- Upright cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Herbergii')
- Elegant cherry laurel 'Etna' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Etna')
- Vital cherry laurel 'Diana' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Diana')
- Broad-bush cherry laurel 'Otto Luyken' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken')
- Slender cherry laurel 'Caucasica' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica')
- Compact cherry laurel 'Mano' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Mano')
- Columnar cherry laurel 'Genolia' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Genolia')
- Dwarf laurel cherry (Prunus laurocerasus 'Piri')
- Ground cover cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Mount Vernon')
- Large-leaved cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis Macrophylla')
This majestic variety boasts extra large leaves that reach 14 cm in length and 4 cm in width. In May, the shrub presents its white flowers on clusters up to 20 cm long. In mild locations, the cherry laurel surprises with a second bloom in autumn. The variety is one of the most pruning-tolerant and at the same time the most winter-hardy specimens.
- Growth height 200 to 300 cm
- Growth width 200 to 300 cm
- annual growth 30 to 50 cm
Cherry laurel 'Rotundifolia' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia')
The classic among the cherry laurel varieties is recommended with an impressive silhouette, densely covered with large, oval leaves that shimmer in the sunlight. Since the shrub has no objection to regular pruning, you decide whether it can grow over your head or not. The flowering is then limited, which at the same time significantly reduces the poisonous berries.
- Growth height 200 to 300 cm
- Growth width 80 to 150 cm
- annual growth 20 to 40 cm
Upright cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Herbergii')
Its tight, upright habit makes this cherry laurel the ideal candidate for an evergreen privacy hedge. The variety also scores with its robust shade tolerance and cold resistance. Thanks to the resin glands unique to this plant genus, the shrub sets the table for hungry insects even out of season.
- Growth height 180 to 250 cm
- Growth width 100 to 150 cm
- annual growth 20 to 40 cm
Cherry laurel 'Etna' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Etna')
This newer breed impresses with its remarkable cutting tolerance, which also forgives beginner's mistakes in a good-natured way. Etna is hard to beat in terms of winter hardiness, so this variety is particularly suitable for planting in rough, wind-exposed locations. Whether as a protective hedge or a tasteful solitaire, this shrub attracts attention in early spring with its bronze-colored shoots.
- Growth height 150 to 200 cm
- Growth width 60 to 100 cm
- annual growth 10 to 30 cm
Cherry laurel 'Diana' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Diana')
With its impressive vitality, the variety captivates interested hobby gardeners. Frosty temperatures are no problem for this cherry laurel, nor is a place in light shade. The copper-colored shoots in spring, which blend in with the older, deep green leaves, provide variety in the visual appearance.
- Growth height 200 to 300 cm
- Growth width 100 to 200 cm
- annual growth 30 to 50 cm
Cherry laurel 'Otto Luyken' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken')
The variation of traditional cherry laurel bushes is twice as wide in width as in height. So you have discovered the ideal solution for a tasteful underplanting, because the variety is shade tolerant. The comparatively small leaves take the power out of the visual effect, so planting in a pot is also an option. Thanks to a high location tolerance, a place in the full sun of the rock garden is just as possible as along the stream.
- Growth height 120 to 150 cm
- Growth width 200 to 300 cm
- annual growth 15 to 40 cm
Cherry laurel 'Caucasica' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica')
This breeding provides striking proof that a mighty cherry laurel can appear quite graceful. The slender contour is not affected by the majestic height. In addition to its qualification as a privacy hedge, Caucasica is ideal for picturesque group planting in the large garden. A spacious lawn is creatively loosened up in this way.
- Growth height 200 to 300 cm
- Growing width 80 to 120 cm
- annual growth 15 to 40 cm
Cherry laurel 'Mano' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Mano')
If you don't want an atmospheric hedge to completely block the view of the property, the Mano variety is a good choice. The breeding boasts lush branching and an abundance of flowers. Like all cherry laurel varieties, it tolerates pruning and shade and thrives just as tall as it is wide. This attribute opens up a variety of design options that go far beyond a mere border or boundary.
- Growth height 100 to 150 cm
- Growth width 100 to 150 cm
- annual growth 10 to 20 cm
Cherry laurel 'Genolia' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Genolia')
With its columnar, tightly upright shape, the Genolia variety enchants with shapely attributes that attract everyone's attention. What is remarkable is the delicate arrangement of branches, which form an extra opaque privacy screen. If it is allowed to grow as it pleases, the breed will quickly reach a height of 4 meters or more. Thanks to their compatibility with cutting, the gardener decides where to go.
- Growth height 250 to 400 cm
- Growth width 50 to 100 cm
- annual growth 10 to 40 cm
Dwarf laurel cherry (Prunus laurocerasus 'Piri')
Of course, a cherry laurel should not be missing in a small garden. Piri is a dwarf variety that impresses with its robust winter hardiness, high location tolerance and is tough when the hedge trimmer is used. Perfect for stylish borders and low hedges, this variety cannot go unmentioned.
- Growth height 80 to 100 cm
- Growth width 100 to 130 cm
- annual growth 5 to 15 cm
Ground cover cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Mount Vernon')
No weeds can get through here, because cherry laurel thrives particularly densely as a ground cover. Along the entrance to the house, the variety serves as an opulent entrance accompaniment or reliably covers even large areas. Good to know that Mount Vernon doesn't bloom, so the poisonous berries won't show up either.
- Growth height 15 to 30 cm
- Growth width 40 to 60 cm
- annual growth 5 to 15 cm
Conclusion
The vast majority of hobby gardeners associate cherry laurel with a fast-growing, dense and easy-care hedge plant. However, this only mentions a small area of its wide range of services. Anyone who delves into a detailed overview of the most important cherry laurel varieties will quickly recognize the multifaceted possibilities that the evergreen shrub opens up for garden design. The impressive variety of varieties extends from the mighty solitaire to the carpet-forming ground cover.
What you should know about cherry laurel in brief
Cherry laurel for hedges
- Prunus laurocerasus 'Herbergii' is probably the best variety for hedges: The hedge does not grow as wide as other cherry laurel varieties, but rather dense and upright to conical. The trees grow to around 2 meters high. The leaves are about 15 cm long and 5 cm wide. This tree is suitable for sun, but also partial shade and even shade. Prunus laurocerasus 'Herbergii' is very robust and can tolerate radical pruning.
- Prunus laurocerasus 'Etna' ® is particularly noticeable because of its red leaf shoots. This cherry laurel is a newer variety and grows up to 2 meters tall and wide and is well suited for hedges. The tree is very robust and tolerates cutting. The growth is tightly upright, very dense and well branched. In addition to the reddish leaf shoots, Prunus laurocerasus 'Etna' ® impresses with its flower shoots up to 20 cm long. It is touted as particularly hardy.
- Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia' is particularly noticeable because of its vigorous growth. The cherry laurel grows up to 3 meters high, but can be kept at any height. Its yellow-green foliage color is particularly beautiful. However, the plant rarely flowers, sometimes not at all. This is usually due to the regular cut. The cherry laurel grows very compact and dense. Its annual growth is about 30 cm. Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia' tolerates pruning well.
Cherry laurel for solitary planting
- Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Lyken' is striking due to its sprawling growth. Although this cherry laurel only grows to about 1.50 meters tall, it can grow over 3 meters wide. The variety is considered to be particularly frost-hardy and can cope with shade and drought better than other varieties. Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Lyken' impresses with its rich flowering and often re-blooming in autumn.
- Prunus laurocerasus 'Zabelina' is striking because of its differentness. The growth is almost horizontal, spreading and rather flat. The narrow leaves resemble those of bamboo. This cherry laurel grows to about 1.20 meters tall and is more wide than tall. The flowers are inconspicuous, but there is often a repeat bloom in autumn.
